When Should You Consider Getting Braces?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The association between whiteness and health or beauty is widespread, and white teeth often symbolize vitality. However, if your teeth aren't naturally aligned, you might consider braces for both medical and cosmetic reasons. But determining the necessity of braces and what steps to take can be daunting. Fear not! Dr. Kevin Molldrem has outlined straightforward ways to assess if braces are needed for your dental health or aesthetics. Let's explore some simple steps to guide you through this decision-making process.

Check for crooked or crowded teeth:

They are referred to as malocclusions. Teeth that overlap, protrude significantly farther than the surrounding teeth, or give the impression that they are sitting sideways are warning signs. Crowding is the issue that braces are most frequently used to treat.

Dr. Kevin Molldrem suggests that you can use dental floss to find out if your teeth are crowded. Your teeth might be crowded too closely together if floss is extremely difficult to slide between teeth.

Take a look at your bite:

When you bite, your teeth should fit together. If there is a large gap between your upper and lower teeth, or if one of your upper or lower teeth protrudes significantly more than the others, you may have bite issues that require braces to be corrected.

• An overbite occurs when the upper teeth cover more than half of the lower teeth's visible surface when they bite down.
• An underbite is caused when the lower teeth, when you bite down, extend past the upper teeth.
• Additionally, there is a situation in which your lower front teeth do not make contact with your upper front teeth when you bite down, creating an overjet sagittal space.
• An incorrectly positioned upper tooth inside a lower tooth results in a crossbite, which if left untreated can cause asymmetry in the face. 

Understand how malocclusion may affect you:

Teeth that are crowded or too close together may make it difficult for dental professionals to clean them thoroughly. Plaque accumulation can cause cavities, gum disease, tooth decay, and abnormal enamel wear. Patients with crowded teeth are at a higher risk of developing gum disease, which is one of the main causes of periodontitis.

• There are numerous causes of crowded or crooked teeth. Teeth can move and crowd together in certain people because their bones are just too small to accommodate all of their teeth. We usually inherit the upper and lower jaws from one parent and the lower jaw from the other, which is due to genetic heritage.
• Some people may get crowding when their wisdom teeth erupt, which can cause the front teeth to appear crooked because their roots and bone support are weaker than those of a back tooth.

Gaps or spaces between Teeth:

Dr. Kevin Molldrem says, Do you have concerns about spaces or gaps between your teeth? These gaps, commonly referred to as diastemas, can have an impact on your oral health as well as the way your smile looks. This discussion will focus on the causes of these gaps and how orthodontic treatments, like braces, can help close them.

• Differentials in tooth sizes, lost teeth, or aberrant growth of the jaw can all cause gaps.
• The impaction caused by diastemas can exacerbate tooth decay and gum disease because it becomes more difficult to clean the spaces between teeth. 
• Braces are one type of orthodontic treatment that can help gradually close spaces between teeth, giving your smile a more attractive and functional appearance.
• Braces, aligners, or other dental appliances may be used to realign teeth and close gaps.
• A consultation with an orthodontist can assist in determining the best approach for closing gaps and achieving a healthier, more confident smile.

Difficulty Chewing or Speaking

It can be annoying to struggle to chew or speak, and it may be a sign that you need orthodontic treatment for underlying dental problems. Let us investigate the possibility that speaking or chewing difficulties could indicate the need for braces.

• It may be difficult to bite and chew food properly if your teeth are misaligned. 
• Misaligned teeth or misaligned jaws can cause speech problems like lisping or trouble pronouncing specific sounds.
• Braces and other orthodontic treatments can improve bite function and align teeth to address these problems.
• Taking care of speech and chewing issues can improve oral health and overall quality of life.

An orthodontist consultation can help you decide if braces are the best option for you if you are facing these difficulties.

Final Words:

As concluded by Dr. Kevin Molldrem, it is worthwhile to think about braces if you are having trouble speaking or chewing, or if you see indications of misaligned teeth. In addition to improving the appearance of your smile, braces can also improve your oral health and general well-being. The first step to having a healthier, straighter smile that you can show off to the world is to schedule an appointment with an orthodontist.